EDMONTON — Edmonton Oilers goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin could be done for the season.
The team announced Wednesday that the 37-year-old will undergo surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back. The procedure is scheduled for Thursday in Los Angeles.
The Oilers didn’t provide a specific timeline for his recovery, saying only that he’s “out indefinitely.” Khabibulin’s agent Jay Grossman says the goalie will need 12 weeks to recover from surgery, leaving him a narrow window to try and return during the regular season.
Khabibulin hasn’t played since a 3-2 shootout loss to Columbus on Nov. 16. In 18 games this season, he had a 7-9-2 record, 3.03 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.
Khabibulin signed a US$15-million, four-year contract with Edmonton over the summer.